Lyrics: Subterranean Homesick Blues

Johnny's in the basement, mixing up the medicine
I'm on the pavement, thinking about the government
The man in the trench coat
Badge out, laid off
Says he's got a bad cough; wants to get it paid off

Look out, kid
It's somethin' you did
God knows when, but you're doin' it again
You better duck down the alley way if you're lookin' for a new friend
The man in the coon-skin cap in the big pen
With eleven dollar bills
You only got ten

Maggie comes fleet foot; face full of black soot
Talkin' that the heat put plants in the bed, but
The phone's tapped anyway
Maggie says that many say
They must bust in early May
Orders from the D.A.

Look out, kid; don't matter what you did
Walk on your tiptoes
Don't try "No-Doz"
Better stay away from those that carry around a fire hose
Keep a clean nose
Watch the plain clothes
You don't need a weatherman to watch the way the wind blows

Oh, get sick, get well
Hang around an ink well
Ring bell, hard to tell
If anything is gonna sell
Try hard to get barred
Get back, write braille
Get jailed, jump bail
Join the army if you fail

Look out, kid; you're gonna get hit
But users, cheaters, six-time users
Hang around the theaters
Girl by the whirlpool
Lookin' for a new fool
Don't follow leaders
Watch the parkin' meters

Oh, get born; keep warm
Short pants; romance; learn to dance
Get dressed; get blessed
Try to be a success
Please her, please him; buy gifts
Don't steal, don't lift
Twenty years of schoolin'
And they put you on the day shift

Look out, kid; they keep it all hid
Better jump down a manhole
Light yourself a candle
Don't wear sandals
Try to avoid the scandals
Don't wanna be a bum
You better chew gum
The pump don't work 'cause the vandals took the handles